The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1887-07-14


Gen. Kearny aud staff were everywhere urging /
the men on Ere long WAS heard the roar oi
the conflict, aud we sent up cheer TO encour- /
age the laggards. Officers and men wed with |
each other IN Fastening the steps Of those who |
wore ready 10 drop from fatigue Capt 1llniy
etepred up beside Ale Alderman and asked;
sWer. Ahe. how do YOU stand itY"
"Bully. Car" " he replied Tn going through
This business with my head mp aud eyes open,
sink or swim survive or perish. and Abe
brought his foot down with thuh that sent
the mud flying over the Captains uniform.
Forward. men. forward, and WIN the
noise Of the raging tumut ringing in our cars
we pressed ON. Three O'Clock, and occasionally
q missile came shrieking over our heads amidst
the iree-tops
HALT UEsLTNG KNArshcKsi"
That was the last ever saw Of my kuapsack,
and ] often wonder who came into possession
og the big stack of sacks and overcoais the "th
left in the woods near Williamsburg that after
noon.
60 our Colonel and said:
"Col Terry, there is a work OF the enemy 4
ez"ect your regiment to carry
"Me will try. sir was the reply.
"Nery well yours is the leading regiment.
let the men rest a moment aud then push on
the column
Several companies Of the ID Mich, Col. Poe
and soon we heard the sharp crack OF their
rifles as they advanced through the under
brush la front.
This was our FIRST hattie. looked into the
eyes OF the comrade on my right. His lace
was Of an ashen hue. but his teeth were set
with yice-like grip. aud his hands clasped
his rifle with no uncertain grasp. Wishing 10
ascertain If my face WAS as white as hls,
asked:
await am very paIe?"
aOh no you r not pale: you're inst bleached."
That satisfied me. knew that 1 felt pale
wonder If l can describe hattie, or the part
j saw. for that is all j shall attempt aud even
shrink from that task.
Standing ON the brink Of battle there is
plenty of time to think. Every minute or 30
some one-may be your best friend, standing
next 60 vOu-sinls 10 the earth corpse. The
next bullet may fud your heart Ii Is a mo-
ment that tries the bravest man. There can
be no more unearthly sound than the vindlc-
tive scream Of AN approaching shell. The noise
Of its coming Is hideOus threat. IL may be
death, giving ven a wild warning ere Il strikes;
ID may be that il comes TO wipe out of exist
ence the com rade beside you or TO make some
spot a place of disfgured shapes and appealing
cries The metallic, hollow rack Of the mus
kerry sounds like the clanking of great chains;
the sulen yell OF the enemy. hendish pro-
test. How the moments lag!
ing at every pore, emerges cut OF the smoke
and tumult aud passes on 10 the rear, leaving
a bloody trail behind. be who stands at gaze
between battle and these CHASTITY effects, had
better let has thoughts be still. But when the
order comes TO ad vance and the excitement OF
Che hattie arises-when you are giving blow
for blow-fear passes away. You
HAVE SOMETHING TO DO.
After waiting few minutes we were ordered
forward at double-quick i'm line OF battle. The
rebels had cut down trees the brushy tops
pointing toward us. Our line o6liqued 10 the
left aud passed around the obstruction. While
executing this movement many uniforms Were
stained with blood by the bullets OF an unseen
foe j well remember our race through the
woods the whiStling Of the bullets aud the
crash OF falling branches. The openings in the
woods between us aud the enemy from time To
time cleaned red with burning flames.
Suddenly the enemy's line burst in full view.
in front of them was a rife-pit which afforded
them considerable protection. Coming 10
halt we fired a vslley. Next came the order.
"Charge hay0nets!" aud we went for that
rihe-pit with o rush, passing completely over
it, some OF our boys jumping in among the
rebels and using the baysuet right and left.
History says that the 9Th killed 63 of the enemy
with the bayOnet alone that charge.
But we did not have it all our own way
Many of our boys were Summoned 10 the last
muster that day Col. Terry aud Lieut.-Col
Beach were both wounded and Maj. Fairbanks
took command. Several OF our line officers
were killed or wounded Serg't Pond. Of Co L.
was shot through the head and instantly killed.
6ergt Jim Lane. my particular friend, was shot
through the body. and died within a few days.
After we had passed over the rife e-pit Private
o. w. Van Dyne. of Co. ], attacked Coufed-
crate soldier with his hayonet Both the CON-
bateuts were active, powerful men, desperately
I'm earnest For moment OF two they thrust
and parried. Those IN their immed late vicinity
suspended their operations 10 witness the con-
test Suddenly Van DyBe broke through his
enemys guard and plunged has bayonet into
the ConledeRte's body, who sank 10 the earth
never 10 rise. For this exploit Private Van
Dyne was promoted Corporal
on THE FIELD or BATTLE
The rebels retired TO the edge Of a wood In
our front aud opened fire eur disorganized
ranks. The officers speedily reformed our line
and ordered into the rife pits vacated by
the rebs from which position we returned their
fire. Several times the .iohnHies attempted "a
dislOdRe Us irem that Pssitisn, but the 37th
N. v. came 10 our assistance aud we remained
there until nightfal. During this engagement
the 9th lost i05 men killed and wounded. The
other regiments of Berrys Brigade lost heavily
Private Allen. Of the % Mich. new recruit
never having had a musket uutil the day be
lore llie batllct Mas lunnN 0eao beside "a lOc
each transfXed by the others bayOnet.
Gen. kearny was foremost IN the fight swing
ing his sword ia his right nd-the only hant
he had while he grasped the bridle-rein witt
his teeth, aud guiding has horse by moving hi
head to and fro lie WAS SO conspicuous tina
be attracted the attention Of the rebels VIII
styled him the " Oue-armed Devil" and thei
gharpshO8ters were ordered 10 kill him, but b
escaped injury. He would occasionally das
slOng In trout OF our line, aud with a smile
say: Cavity by hoys: go ia payly!" Thu
be led us on 10 the harvest Of death.
While we were engaged ia ing the riff,
pit In our front, the troops under Gen. Han
cock sncrerded In turning the COnlederal
left, and when darkness came 10 hide the
movements the enemy retFealed in haste lea
ing their desd aud wouBded in our hand
Their commander Gen. Joe Johnston, feariu
disastcr IL weagan attacked his rear, hastent
~ place his troops Oh the opposite side OF u
Chclahominy.
Keaimy's Division biyouacked on the battl
field that night. What a fearful night ID wa
Those Of us wine had escaped injury lay on ol
arms listening 10
THE sHRIERs AND GRoANs
Of the wounded Toward morning II raine
This, no doubt was a relief To many of u
wounded. bot il converted our biv0uac intC
perlect waliow Of mud. Throughout the mig
details were searching for those who had fall
in the Tray, aud every possible assistance W
rendered 10 our unfortunate comFndes.
ln tile morning the brigade moved up ne
the town of williamsburg and eDcan ned In